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Monster Energy Performer Of The Month: Kolohe Andino

Hooking the biggest win of his well-documented young career – the highly sought-after Open Mens title at NSSA Nationals – Kolohe Andino was an easy pick for June’s Now/NextMonster Energy Performer of the Month. But that wasn’t the only title Kolohe was taking care of in the month of June.

By winning three National titles this year (Explorer Boys, Air Show, and Open Mens) Kolohe passed Bobby Martinez’s previous mark of seven National titles. “Brother” now has nine of those to his name—and he’s only fifteen making him the youngest Open Mens champ ever. But it wasn’t all competition accomplishments for Kolohe in June.

Earlier in the month, he headed to the Mentawais as part of the Red Bull Super Trip with Jordy Smith, Julian Wilson, Mick Fanning, and more and scored some pretty amazing waves—all of which will be unleashed in full in an upcoming issue of TransWorld SURF.

We caught up with Kolohe, June’s Now/NextMonster Energy Performer of the Month.

TW SURF: How was that super trip to the Mentawais?Kolohe “Brother” Andino: It was pretty sick. Watching all those guys surf was crazy. Jordy and Julian were pretty competitive with each other and everyone was definitely pushing each other. The incredible waves we got had to be the highlight of the trip.

You broke Bobby’s seven National titles record, how’s that accomplishment sitting with you?
I’m pretty psyched. I went into the week really wanting to beat Bobby’s record. Midway through I got the two I needed, so I was pretty psyched with eight, and I just got lucky in the Open Mens with two good waves. All the other guys were throwing a couple big scores. I think the main thing was in that I had a brand new board that was working insane.

You’re also the youngest Open Mens champ ever.
I still can’t believe I won Open Mens at Lowers. There’re so many good surfers. Winning it was definitely one of those things I wanted to do. But I really wanted to win Juniors this year actually, and I lost in the quarters in a really stacked heat.

Where’s all this headed for you?
I really want to work on making myself better in bigger stuff, and getting my seed up on the WQS and Pro Junior series. My main goal for this year is to get a 48 seed, because if you do you get into every Pro Junior contest next year.

How the hell are you going to top your June?
I don’t know. The only way to top it might be to win the US Open or something [laughs], or maybe that Pro Junior.

Looks like Kolohe now has another sight in the crosshairs. Congrats Brother!